Humidifier



F. N. sM'lTH n HUMIDIFIER Sept. 27, 1938.

Filed oct. 14, 1957 -2 sheets-sheet 1 l 1NvENToR. BY @ff/'6 /V m/f` I ATTORNEYS -ll lllll Patented Sept. 27, 1938 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in humidifiers.

The main objects of this lnventionvare:

First, to provide a new and improved form of steam generating means and control therefor serving as a humidifier in household heating systems or the like.

Second, to provide a humidifier of the type described which is associated with a hot air furnace or other heating means in a novel manner.

Third, to provide a humidifier of the type described embodying a fiash boiler of improved form and operation.

Fourth, to provide a humidifier of the type described embodying a boiler and improved means for'supplying water thereto to be vaporized by Athe heat of the furnace and improved means for controlling the supply of such Water.

Fifth, to provide a flash boiler structure especially desirable for the purposes above specified which may be quickly cleaned.

Sixth, to provide a water feed and control means in combination with an improved form of flash type humidifying means.

Further objects and advantages pertaining to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is pointed out in the claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in vertical section on line i-i of Fig. 4 through a hot air furnace casing and radiator illustrating details and arrangement of a structure embodying the invention.

and in vertical section illustrating the water feed and control means.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section illustrating details of the boiler and water feed and control means associated therewith.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in section on line 4-4 of Fig. l further illustrating the boiler construction and its arrangement on the furnace radiator.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section corresponding to Figs. l and 3 illustrating the boiler of the invention utilizing a shallow auxiliary flash pan.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View partially broken away and in vertical section illustrating a modifled embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 'l is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on line 1 1 of Fig. 8 illustrating the connection of the Water feed and control means with the Fig. 2 is an enlarged view partially broken away boiler as incorporated in the modification of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section on line 8-8 of Fig. 6 illustrating details of construction of that embodiment. f

This invention relates to improvements in humidiers of the type disclosed in my Letters Patent 2,018,097, dated October 22, 1935, the presentv invention being particularly concerned with an improved type of boiler and feed control means for use in a system generally similar to that shown and claimed in the Letters Patent referred to as well as to an improved arrangement for feeding water thereto and regulating the supply of such feed water according to the temperature conditions within the boiler.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numerals I and 2 indicate respectively the casing and dome of a furnace of a largely used type wherein a radiator 3 is mounted atop the usual combustion chamber 4. f

The boiler of the invention is in the form of a shallow pan or vessel 5 of a form suitable for resting on the top of radiator 3, being removable therefrom when desired. 'I'he vessel is closed by a cover plate 6 screwed thereon and providedy with a vapor outlet i in which a butterfly control valve 8 is pivotally mounted. Said valve has a control arm 9 connected to the control wire l0 of a flexible cable II which is adapted to be manipulated from any suitable point by means of a hand controlled plunger I2 connected to the wire I0.

'I'he boiler is further provided with an overflow or drain outlet I3 into which an overflow tube i4 is tapped and has a further feed water inlet opening I5 threadedly receiving a fitting I6 on a feed water conduit Il which extends to the feed water control means generally indicated I8 and to be hereinafter described.

Said control means consists of a housing I9 providing a water inlet chamber, to one end of which is threaded a valve unit 20. This unit contains a valve resiliently urged by coil spring 22 toward a valve seat 23 which is likewise threaded in housing I9. The valve is slldable in a spider washer 24 at the opposite end of the valve chamber 25 in the said valve unit 20.

The housing I9 at the side opposite the valve unit threadedly receives a sleeve 26 which in turn is threadedly connected to or carries the expansion element 21. The bellows 21 upon expanding engages a fiat spring metal strip 28 secured to the housing I9 and contacting a tappet-like expansion element 29 on `the valve 2| whereby to unseat the valve at certain times to admit water.

'I'he water is supplied to the valve chamber 2l through a conduit 30.

The sleeve 28 has holes li therein`communi` cating with the interior of the housing to deliver water to the conduit I1 delivering to the boiler l. In the embodiment illustrated. the expansion fluid container u extends through the conduit 30 and is connected at one end to the bellows 21 and at the other end terminates in the closed bulb or enlarged portion 35 which is disposedv adjacent to the bottom of the boiler or adjacent to a wall oi the boiler which is subject to heat from the furnace or other source of heating system.

With the parts thus arranged, the water discharged to the boiler is quite quickly vaporized by the heat from the furnace uponwhich the boiler rests or with which the boiler is operatively associated to be heated. However, when a sufficient amount of water is discharged to the boiler to cool the expansion fluid within the bulb or container 35 and the flow of the water through the conduit, the expansion element contacts, allowing the valve to seat and cut oif the ow of water. As soon. however, as the water is completely vaporized in the boiler and a predetermined expansion secured in the expansion element, the valve is again opened and more water admitted.

It is not necessary to enclose the tube 3l within the conduit i1 but the conduit serves as a protective means, preventing injury to the parts and making the structure more unitary.

'I'he boiler is preferably in the shape of a shallow pan or vessel so that the incoming water is spread out over a relatively large heated surface and very rapidly vaporized, and it is found in practice that quite a large volume of water can be vaporized with such heat as results from an association of the boiler with the top of a radiator, for example, of a hot air furnace, and the vapor is discharged into the air at the top of the hot air chamber of the furnace. No vapor is delivered to the air until the temperature of the furnace reaches or is above a predetermined point and the discharge of vapor may be regulated quite accurately through the valve control means described. In the event the valve is closed or closed to the point so that the discharge of vapor through the outlet to the air chamber is less than the amount generated in the boiler, the excess vapor will be discharged through the overflow pipe.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the water is discharged directly into the boiler vessel or pan. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 the water is initially discharged into the auxiliary pan 36 which is preferably formed of sheet metal and rests upon the bottom of the boiler or on the slightly raised rests provided therefor. This auxiliary pan is provided with a central opening 38 surrounded by an upwardly half-turned lip or flange-39 whereby when the water discharged to the panV reaches the rim of this lip, it overflows into the boiler pan or receptacle.

The main advantage of the auxiliary pan is that it may be readily removed for cleaning out accumulations of lime or the like which may result from the use of hard water and it also serves to increase the flash surface of the boiler.

Although illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 as being enclosed by cover plate 5, it is not absolutely necessary that the vessel 5 be in the form of a.

completely enclosed housing and, if desired, the

cover plate may be omitted for certain installations.

I have found that the combination of feed l water control means as described with a flash type boiler associated internally of the furnace and preferably closely adjacent the radiator thereof is very effective in operation and assures the maintenance of a proper humidity in air discharged from thefurnace at all times.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 I illustrate a modified form of the invention wherein the boiler is of arcuate form and is mounted around the combustion chamber. In this form I preferably provide an insert or adapter section ti for the combustion chamber in the form of an annular casting or pair of semi-annular castings having external ribs 42 to increase the radiating surface thereof. I secure to such casting a number of brackets 4l extending radially outwardly to provide a support for the boiler M. This boiler is U-shaped in cross section and segmental in form,the surface thereof adjacent the adapter periphery having ribs similar to those on the adapter to increase the heat absorbing surface of the boiler and whereby a number of radiating chambers or passages 45 are formed between the boiler and furnace. In other respects, the modified form is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1-5 inclusive, except for the fact that the tube'"34-35 is suitably conformed to t the curve of the boiler wall and lie closely adjacent the inner wall of the same.

The modification just described has advantages in operation similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1-5, namely those flowing to a boiler construction intimately associated with the heating radiator surface ofthe furnace, either the radiator or a central radiating surface, combined with an automatic feed control whereby proper amounts of water will be fed thereto at proper times. So far as I am aware, no one has hitherto provided a boiler of the flash type closely associated with a heat radiating surface of the furnace in combination with automatic feed water control means as described.

It will be noted that the boiler is provided with a very considerable vapcrizing surface which is in contact with a heater wall of the furnace or so associated with a heated wall of the furnace that the surface of the boiler upon which the water is discharged is effectively heated. Each charge of water delivered is spread out over this large area, the extent of course of its flow over the vaporizing surface depending on the speed with which the water is vaporized and the amount delivered, but in practice each charge of water delivered is quite quickly vaporized, the timing oi the 'successive charges depending on the speed of vaporization. While the embodiment in Fig. 5 does provide increased vapcrizing area, the main purpose of the auxiliary pan is to provide a sediment or deposit surface which can be readily cleaned.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in embodiments which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination with a furnace having a radiator, a boiler of shallow construction resting on said radiator, said boiler being provided with,

a vapor outlet and a feed water inlet, a feed water conduit connected to said inlet and means for controlling the admission of feed Water to said conduit and inlet comprising a tube containing a heat responsive fluid extending through said conduit and into said boiler, a housing in communication with said conduit, a source of feed water supply, a valve cooperating with said housing for controlling flow of water from said source to said housing, and means in said housing responsive to said heat responsive fluid for actuating said valve.

2. In combination with a furnace having a radiator, a boiler of shallow construction resting on said radiator, said boiler being provided with a vapor outlet and a feed water inlet, a feed water conduit connected to said inlet and means for controlling the admission of feed water to said conduit and inlet comprising a tube containing a heat responsive fluid extending into said boiler, a housing in communication with said conduit, a source of feed water supply, a valve cooperating with said housing for controlling ow of water from said source to said housing, and means in said housing responsive to said heat responsive fluid for actuating said valve.

3. In combination with a furnacehaving a radiator, a boiler of shallow construction resting on said radiator, said boiler being provided with a feed water inlet, a feed water conduit connected to said inlet and means for controlling the admission of feed water to said conduit and inlet comprising a tube containing a heat responsive fluid extending into said boiler, a source of feed water supply, a valve for controlling flow of water from said source to said conduit, and means responsive to said heat responsive fluid for actuating said valve.

4. In combination with a furnace, a boiler in heat conducting association with a wall of said furnace and provided with a vapor outlet and a feed water inlet, a feed Water conduit connected to said inlet and means for controlling the admission of feed water to said conduit and inlet comprising a tube containing a heat responsive fluid extending through said conduit and into said boiler, a housing in communication with said conduit, a source of feed water supply, a valve for controlling flow of water from said source to said housing, and means in said housing responsive to said heat responsive fluid for actuating said valve.

5. In a humidifying means of the type described, a boiler adapted to .be mounted on a heat radiating surface of a furnace, said boiler having therein a shallow auxiliary pan provided with means for limiting the depth of water retained in the pan, a vapor outlet for said boiler and means for admitting water to said pan comprising a source of Water supply, a conduit connected to said boiler and thermostatic means for controlling the iiow of fluid from said source to said conduit comprising an element in said boiler containing a heat responsive medium, a member between said source and said circuit responsive to said medium, and a tube extending through said conduit and connecting said element with said member.

6. In a humidifying means of the type described, a boiler adapted to be mounted in contact with a heat radiating surface of a furnace, said boiler having a shallow auxiliary pan provided with means for limiting the depth of water retained in the pan, a vapor outlet for said boiler and means for admitting water to said pan comprising a source of Water supply, a conduit connected to said boiler and thermostatic means for controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said conduit comprising anv element in said boiler containing a heat responsive medium, a member between said source and said conduit responsive to said medium, and a tube connecting said element with said member.

'7. In a humidifying means of the type described, a shallow boiler adapted to be mounted in contact with a heat radiating surface on a furnace, said boiler having therein an auxiliary water receiving pan provided with means for limiting the depth of water retained in the pan, a vapor outlet for said boiler and means for admitting water to said p an comprising a source of water supply, a conduit connected to said boiler and means for automatically controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said conduit.

8. In a humidifying meansv of the type 'described, a shallow boiler adapted to be mounted in contact with a heat radiating surface on a furnace, said boiler having therein an auxiliary water receiving pan provided with means for limiting the depth of Water retained in the pan, and means for admitting Water to saidpan comprising a source of water supply, a conduit connected to said boiler and means for automatically controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said conduit.

9. In a humidifier for a furnace having a radiator adjacent the dome thereof, a boiler adapted to removably rest on the radiator of said boiler, comprising a closed vessel having a vapor outlet therein and a feed water inlet opening, an auxiliary pan in said boiler and spaced from the bottom thereof, said auxiliary pan being substantially more shallow than the boiler and having a central opening provided with an annular upstanding flange to limit the depth of water in the auxiliary pan and means for supplying water to said auxiliary pan.

10. In a humidifier for a furnace having a radiator adjacent the dome thereof, a boiler adapted to' removably rest on the radiator of said boiler, comprising a vessel having a vapor outlet therein and-'a feed water inlet opening, an auxiliary pan in said boiler, said auxiliary pan being substantially more shallow than the boiler and having means to limit the depth of water in the auxiliary pan and means for supplying water to said auxiliary pan.

11. In a humidifier for a furnace, a boiler therebetween, a Source of water supply for saidboiler and means for controlling the admission of water from said supply to said boilercomprising an element in said boiler containing a heat responsive medium and means controlled by said medium for governing the admission of water to the boiler, said means including a. valve and an expansible member responsive to said'medium for actuating the valve.

13. In a humidifier for a furnace in combination, a radiating member comprising an adapter insertable in said furnace, a segmental open-sided boiler of U-section mounted adjacent said adapter, said boiler and adapter having provision for furnishing an augmented radiating area therebetween, a source of water supply for said boiler and means for controlling the admission of water from said supply to said boiler comprising an element in said -boiler containing a heat responsive medium and means controlled by said medium for governing the admission of water to the boiler.

14. In a humidifier of the type described, a boiler adapted to be mounted adjacent a heat radiating surface on the furnace, said boiler being segmental in form and U-shaped in section and having an open top, an element in said boiler containing a heat responsive medium for governing the admission of water to said boiler, and means on said furnace adapting the same to receive said boiler and cooperative with the boiler to provide augmented heat radiating and absorbing surfaces between the boiler and furnace.

15. In a humidifier of the type described, a boiler adapted to be mounted adjacent a heat radiating surface on the furnace, said boiler being segmental in form and U-shaped in section and having an open top, and an element in said boiler containing a heat responsive medium for governing the admission of water to said boiler.

16. In a humidifier of the type described, a boiler adapted to be mounted adjacent a heat radiating lsurface on the furnace, said boiler being segmental in form, an element in said boiler containing a heat responsive medium for governing the admsson of water to said boiler, and means on said furnace adapting the same to receive said boiler and cooperative with the boiler to provide augmented heat radiating and absorbing surfaces between the boiler and furnace.

17. In a humidifier for a furnace in combination a radiating member comprising an adapter insertable in said furnace, asegmental boiler mounted adjacent said adapter, said boiler and adapter having provision for .providing an augmented heat radiating and absorbing area therebetween, a source of water supply for said boiler and means for controlling the admission of water from said supply to said boiler comprising an element in said boiler containing a heat responsive medium and means controlled by said medium for governing the admission of water to the boiler.

18. In a humidifier of the type described, a boiler adapted to be mounted adjacent a heat radiating surface on' the furnace, said boiler being segmental in form, an element in said boiler containing a heat responsive medium for governing the admission of water to said boiler, and means on said furnace adapting the same to receive said boiler and cooperative with the boiler to provide augmented heat radiating and absorbing surfaces between the boiler and furnace.

19. In combination with a furnace, a boiler in heat conducting association with said furnace and provided with a feed water inlet, a feed water conduit connected to said inlet and means for controlling the admission of feed water to said conduit and inlet comprising a tube containing a heat responsive fluid extending through said conduit and into said boiler, a housing in communication with said conduit, a source of feed water supply, a valve for controlling flow of water from said source to said housing, and means in said housing responsive to said heat responsive fiuid for actuating said valve.

` FERRIS N. SMITH. 

